Back at College

After spending a super packed and fun and rewarding summer in SF, there was a big piece of me that wondered how I was going to be ready to come back out to school, be in classes, be around so much stress and social stimulation. After being back at school for the past week and a half, though, and gearing up to start classes tomorrow, I’m really looking forward to the semester.

There’s more to life than a job

One of the biggest takeaways from my summer was that I developed a lot stronger of an idea of what it’d take me to accomplish my goals in terms of jobs. I have a better idea of what it takes to get certain jobs and what to do in a job to thrive and also enjoy.

I also learned more about what it’s going to take for me to decide what I want to do. The biggest factor there is for me to become a better version of myself. To better understand what I like to do, what makes me tick, what types of people I want to be around, etc.

So, while there’s this path that I feel like is relatively spelled out to get to a certain point in my professional life, I am a lot more focused on enjoying each day and having new experiences that widen my perspective. To do that, I have to do what I want to be doing and be present in each moment.

College

What’s so special about college is that in this one little place, there are 7500 other people that are around the same age as me. They are also trying to have experiences, learn about themselves and figure out what they want to do with their life.

Despite the fact that I learned more in 3 months of work than I think I did in 2 years of classes at school, there are other special things about college that make me so happy to be back.

In San Francisco, I was working 45–50 hours a week. This semester, I’m in class for 21 (if I always go). The days at school are not as draining as the days at work that require extremely intense focus, and at school there is always something else to do, or someone else to hang out with. That chance to be able to have these experiences with other people, continue to try new things and learn about how I act around others is super special.

Do I think college is worth $60,000 per year? No. Am I learning as much in my classes as I would like? No. Is part of the reason I’m here so that I can get this degree that I feel like is needed in the real world (even though deep down I know it doesn’t matter much)? Yes.

BUT, if it were just for a degree, I don’t think I would have come back.

As I was getting back to school 10 days ago, that was the thought running through my mind.

After the time being with friends and re-remembering how much I can get out of being here, I both am stoked and feel more ready than I ever have to make this semester amazing.

Should be fun.